 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
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By Paul Williams
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2010 Lexus RX
2010 Acura MDX
The Lexus RX series of vehicles has been a benchmark for the luxury crossover segment since its introduction. In fact, you could easily support the assertion that the RX actually established this segment, way back in 1998.
Built in Canada at the only Lexus plant outside Japan, the 2010 Lexus RX 350 is an all-new version of this very popular vehicle. Starting at $46,900, our $55,330 Touring version adds a range of desirable features including voice-activated navigation, premium audio, power rear door, adaptive front lighting with bi-xenon headlamps, driver seat memory, perforated heated and cooled front seats, wood trim and 19-inch alloy wheels.
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
Expensive? Well, yes, it’s getting up there. But with a luxury nameplate one expects luxury pricing, and compared to similar vehicles in the segment, the RX 350 is competitive. Lexus Canada sold about 9,000 RX 350s here in 2009.
This begs the question: what are the similar vehicles in this segment? The RX 350 is a midsize crossover, but it’s interestingly proportioned and priced. You might think the BMW X5 would compete, but that’s considerably larger and more expensive, while the BMW X3 is a clearly a compact. Likewise the Acura MDX and RDX; Audi Q7 and Q5; Mercedes-Benz GL and GLK don’t quite compare to the RX. Even the Mercedes M-Class is wider, heavier, taller and more expensive.
Cleverly, the RX 350 is in the middle, and the obvious luxury competitors don’t really have vehicles that directly compare with the RX 350 in size, price and features. For the most direct comparisons, look to the Lincoln MKX and maybe Infiniti FX35. But the base Acura MDX, although bigger, is price competitive.
Since picking up the RX 350, the weather has changed dramatically in our area. The typical snowy, cold, February climate has changed to an unseasonably warm, sunny March. The roads are clear, the birds are singing and the local renovation and furniture outlets are packed with families getting ready for the annual assault on their home.
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
The RX 350 has been a regular visitor to these venues, where its sleek shape, commanding proportions and luxurious Matador Red paint make it stand out like a supermodel at a weight-loss clinic.
It’s not often that a test vehicle attracts so much attention, but this red RX 350 has generated more positive comments from passers-by, both men and women, than any vehicle I’ve reviewed in the past couple of years. It could be the red. It’s a brilliant colour; with a very rich and distinctive lustre. Whatever the reason, the vehicle makes a statement in the parking lot.
Fit and finish throughout are impeccable, and the quality of the materials is also first-rate. Numerous details enhance the vehicle’s presentation, including the tasteful interior wood trim, the aluminum roof rails, the rich illumination of the instruments and the exterior chrome accents.
The tailored and precise finish is not just skin deep. Lift a carpet or open a compartment and what greets you is more tailoring and more precise fitment. It’s what you expect from a high-end item, but don’t always get.
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
On the road, the Lexus is smooth and quiet; easy to drive with good visibility all around. It doesn’t exhibit the jounce experienced in some crossovers when driving on uneven surfaces, and even at 1,970 kilograms (4,510 pounds) it feels quite agile.
The 3.5-litre V6 engine is rated at 245 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque, which is modest in a vehicle of this type. The six-speed automatic transmission is barely noticeable in operation. All-wheel drive is standard and full-time, and fuel consumption in my mostly city driving is in the 12.0 L/100 km range, which I think is acceptable for a large vehicle like this. Premium fuel is required, however.
Regarding the parking lots alluded to above, this is a large vehicle (even though it’s officially “midsize”), so zipping in and out of parking spaces as you might do with a compact car or crossover is not recommended.
Behind the wheel, the driver is presented with a tidy instrument panel and a centre stack with a range of controls to manage major amenities. There are less buttons, knobs and switches than you might expect because most of the controls are built into or duplicated by the “Remote Touch” control device that is included in the Touring Package.
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
This is a kind of enhanced joystick that alters or sets a range of navigation, audio, climate and communication features via the LCD display. Although Remote Touch bundles many controls into one central device, it does seem that sometimes simple things like changing a radio station or increasing the audio tone would be more simply accomplished by turning a knob or pressing a button. Nonetheless, it does reduce dashboard clutter, and that’s a welcome result.
Speaking of controls — specifically climate controls — I found the automatic system wanting on occasion, as it persisted in blowing frigid air into the cabin in an attempt to maintain my pre-set 22 degrees, even when it felt too cold in the first place. This meant that I regularly had to modulate the temperature by raising it to a displayed 25 or 26 degrees, causing it to become too warm and requiring further adjustment.
Also, the system isn’t as quiet as that experienced recently in the Lexus flagship sedan, the LS 600h L. Then again, that vehicle costs more than twice the price of the RX 350, which presumably has to push more air into the large cabin to maintain a steady temperature.
The Bluetooth hands-free phone system, happily, is a piece of cake to use. Just say “pair phone,” and follow the simple instructions. It took a matter of seconds and works well.
The 2010 Lexus RX 350 is an appealing vehicle that seems to offer the perfect blend of utility and luxury. It’s very easy to get used to this particular combination of attributes.
2010 Acura MDX
By Grant Yoxon
You can never count on the weather to cooperate. We can schedule a convertible for the middle of July and never get the top down because it rained all week. Or we can schedule two of Canada’s most popular luxury utility vehicles for the last week of February and the first three weeks of March and not encounter any snow.
 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
Such has been the winter of 2010 in Ontario, Canada. And the day I took possession of the Acura MDX, one could be forgiven for thinking this was Florida and not Ottawa as it was bright and sunny and 10 degrees Celsius.
Despite the lack of challenging weather, it was quickly apparent to me that the MDX is a very good handling machine. At 2069 kg (4,561 lbs), the MDX is a heavy vehicle and I would have expected it to feel heavy and to handle more like a truck than a sport sedan. But I was surprised how light and agile the MDX actually feels. And I was more impressed with how well it took the first freeway on-ramp that I encountered, accomplishing the routine task at a much higher speed than I would have thought possible, while remaining flat and poised.
With SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) sensors monitor the tightness of a turn as well as your speed and automatically vary torque to the outside cornering rear wheel enhancing stability and control. SH-AWD will also allow you to accelerate through the curve – within the limits of physics, of course, but perfect for freeway on-ramp acceleration – by delivering up to 100 per cent of rear wheel torque to the outside wheel and rotating it faster than the inside cornering wheel.
With 300 horsepower available, the MDX will accelerate rapidly as well, quickly bringing the vehicle up to merge speed in any traffic situation. Put your foot into the accelerator, and the engine will emit a noticeable roar and without caution take you well above the target merge speed, but once on the highway, the MDX is a quiet and comfortable place to be.
 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
During our first week with the MDX, we drove twice from Ottawa to Quebec City, to bring one of our children to a sporting event and to bring her back. Our adult rear seat passengers were quite happy, particularly with the standard rear seat heaters. Being a long, seven-seat SUV, the MDX also had plenty of room for all our luggage and gear with the third row seat folded flat.
From the driver’s seat, the MDX presents a logical layout of readable gauges and easy-to-reach controls. It is not fancy or innovative, but it is extremely functional. The leather-covered seats are very comfortable and supportive. I had no problem driving nearly 1000 kilometres in one day and driving Quebec City to Ottawa in one shot, no stops. With this kind of seating one need stop only for bio-breaks, not discomfort.
Fuel consumption on the highway was better than I expected, with a best of 10.9 L/100 km. The MDX had an Energuide rating of 13.2 L/100 km in the city and 9.6 L/100 on the highway. Although I didn’t match the Energuide, my city consumption of 13.5 L/100 km was closer than highway, but we encountered strong winds on both days. Note that the MDX requires Premium fuel.
 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
While this MDX was a base model and lacked features like a navigation system, rear entertainment system, adaptive cruise control or blind spot warning system, we didn’t really miss them. They are available in higher cost Technology (navigation, rear entertainment, premium leather, premium audio) and Elite (Technology plus 19-inch wheels, collision mitigating system, active damper system, blind spot information system, roof rails, climate controlled front seats, adaptive cruise control) trim levels.
Standard equipment is more than adequate though for a vehicle that at $51,900 plus freight and pre-delivery inspection charge of $1,895 is priced at the lower end of the luxury SUV/Crossover class. In addition to the aforementioned heated rear seats, the base MDX comes with such features as HID low beam (Halogen high beam) headlights with headlight washers, power rear hatch, tri-zone climate control, power adjustable steering wheel with audio, cruise and (easy to set up) mobile telephone controls, a good eight-speaker audio system with six-disc CD changer and MP3/auxiliary input jack, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, power moonroof, rear-view camera displayed in the rear-view mirror, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and two position memory, and, of course, leather upholstery.
 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
Standard safety features include dual stage, dual threshold front airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, three row side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, vehicle stability control and trailer stability assist. The MDX is built to tow with a standard high capacity radiator, transmission fluid cooler, heavy-duty power steering cooler and pre-wiring for an electric brake controller. Towing capacity is 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs). The hitch, receiver and wiring harness are a dealer-installed accessory.
For families that do a lot of driving, whether on the highway or around town, have the occasional need to tow a trailer or large boat, or carry six or seven passengers, the Acura MDX has a lot to offer. It is not just an all-wheel drive wagon, but a utility vehicle that has the capability to meet many needs. Thanks to SH-AWD it is entertaining and fun to drive, but also supremely safe and secure for all.
